MLB Injury Report – Junior Caminero takes one off the chin

Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Wednesday, April 29, 2026. In today’s edition, the Brewers and Braves are planning for a reunion of sorts with a plethora of players, the Rays get some good news on a scary situation with Junior Caminero, and the Cubs brace for another pitcher gone for an extensive amount of time after a setback. Read about all of this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.

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MLB Injury Report

Junior Caminero – 3B Tampa Bay Rays

Sounds like relatively good news for #Rays Caminero – right jaw contusion, listed as day to day.

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 28, 2026

This could have been a lot worse, as a scary situation unfolded when he fouled a ball off his jaw. Rays fans and fantasy managers everywhere should rejoice that he could and should be back at any point this week.

Jackson Chourio – OF Milwaukee Brewers

Jackson Chourio is beginning a rehab assignment tomorrow night with Nashville and has an estimated return to the Brewers of May 4.

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 28, 2026

Fantasy managers rejoice, it looks like we could be seeing Chourio make his 2026 debut next week. This indicates that he is pain-free and fully healed, and now the biggest worry is him getting his timing back and his mechanics up to date. We should keep an eye on his minor league stats, too, to see if and when he needs a bit more time. Regardless, his health is fine and, barring a setback, he’ll be back soon.

Andrew Vaughn – 1B Milwaukee Brewers

Andrew Vaughn will also be beginning his rehab assignment with Nashville tomorrow. His return to the Brewers is estimated for the same date.

The cavalry, it is coming back.

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 28, 2026

The same can be said here for Vaughn, who is also rather healthy. The difference between the two Brewers players is that Vaughn had already started playing, so this may be more about him managing how to play with a repaired hand. Either way, this is good news, and the Brewers would be wise not to hurry him too fast, as setbacks arise. Speaking of…..

Christian Yelich – OF Milwaukee Brewers

Christian Yelich continues treatment and ramping up hitting and running with an adductor strain. He’s estimated to return in mid to late May.

— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) April 28, 2026

It’s been rather quiet on the Yelich front, but the good news here is that no news was actually good news. With someone as injury-prone as Yelich, it’s fair to be scared about his progress when nothing is happening. That said, he remains on track to return and hasn’t suffered a setback. Let’s hope that this positive trend continues.

Quinn Priester – SP Milwaukee Brewers

Jared Koenig will start a throwing program today.

Quinn Priester is scheduled for four ups and around 60 pitches in his next rehab outing on Friday.

— Jack Stern (@ByJackStern) April 28, 2026

Priester’s last outing was terrible. If this next one isn’t any better, he may need to get re-evaluated for his pre-existing injury, as he’s returning from thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms.

Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B Kansas City Royals

Knowing that he’s suffered from this condition before and seeing how it’s been a cold month, it’s starting to feel like this could be the reason for his struggles to start the season. It’s unclear if he’ll need time on the Injured List to sort this out.

Pete Fairbanks – RP Miami Marlins

Pete Fairbanks is going on the IL with nerve irritation. #Marlins hope it’s just the 15 days.

— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) April 29, 2026

The hope here is that Fairbanks won’t need more time than the fifteen days, as indicated by Christina De Nicola. It is concerning, mind you, that the team labelled it as an unusual nerve feeling the other day. He does suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome, a condition that causes tingling feelings in his extremities. The description of “weird” leads me to believe that this could be something different, in which case, this could be a completely different diagnosis going forward. Mind you, he did say that it was similar to what he felt in 2024 when it happened to him then.

Justin Steele – SP Chicago Cubs

Per Craig Counsell, #Cubs Justin Steele’s flexor strain will keep him out of the rotation until after the All-Star Break. The were originally targeting early June for his return.

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) April 29, 2026

Steele suffered a setback last week, as he was feeling slow and sluggish after having thrown. He came into the team to get it checked out, and it was revealed that he had a flexor strain. He will be shut down for one month before he tries to build himself up again. It’s possible that he was doing too much too soon this offseason. Steele documented every step forward he took in his comeback over social media, and a lot of it seemed advantageous. The hope is that this is a minor step (albeit a longer one) in the wrong direction and that he can get back on his quest to return in time for the playoffs.

Dansby Swanson – SS Chicago Cubs

#Cubs Dansby Swanson left the game with a left glute cramp.

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) April 29, 2026

Swanson left last night’s game early with cramps. Chances are, he misses today’s game as a precaution. They play early this afternoon and then have tomorrow off before heading out to Arizona. The real test will be on Friday to see if this is serious enough to warrant a trip to the Injured List.

Jackson Holliday – 2B Baltimore Orioles

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz did not have a timetable for when Jackson Holliday (right hamate surgery) will play games again. Hasn't played since exiting last Tuesday with right hand discomfort.

Holliday remains in Baltimore and is currently fielding grounders at Camden Yards.

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) April 28, 2026

This is getting concerning, as it’s been more than a week since he reinjured his hand, and now he has yet to either resume many baseball activities, nor is there a timetable for a return to play. Hopefully, he didn’t do severe damage to his already recovering hand, and a plan to resume would cure all worries. Stay tuned.

Houston Astros – Team Update

Jeremy Peña took at-bats in a live BP today facing Josh Hader in Houston, Joe Espada said. Peña may be “getting close” to playing in rehab games, Espada said.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 28, 2026

Jeremy Pena taking at-bats is a good step forward here, and doing so against Josh Hader shows that he hasn’t had a setback either. Both should be considered on the right track for a return, though Hader’s recent designation to the 60-Day Injured List means he won’t be back anytime soon.

Tyler Soderstrom – OF Athletics

Tyler Soderstrom’s exit tonight was precautionary, per Kotsay. No signs of a concussion right now but there is some soreness and they’ll wait to see how he feels tomorrow.

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) April 29, 2026

Soderstrom injured himself while making a diving catch in the outfield, and his removal from the game was precautionary. However, he had some soreness in his shoulder, and as such, the team won’t know more until they see how he feels today. Fingers crossed that he won’t miss time on the Injured List, but that can’t be ruled out.

Atlanta Braves – Team Update

We finally get some updates on two Braves pitchers. If you had asked me when the injuries happened, I would have pegged Spencer Schwellenbach to be ready before Hurston Waldrep, but here we are, and the roles are targeted in reverse. Of course, a lot can change before then, and we may not see either until August. Stay tuned.

Raisel Iglesias – RP Atlanta Braves

#Braves MGR Walt Weiss said closer Raisel Iglesias is throwing and shoulder inflammation had subsided. They expect him back when first available off the IL, if not shortly thereafter.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 28, 2026

It’s looking more and more like the Braves will have their usual closer back next week. The hope here is that he can return to his early-season ways of dominance.

Spencer Strider – SP Atlanta Braves

#Braves MGR Walt Weiss said that Spencer Strider will start against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. They have not set the rotation yet.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 28, 2026

Be prepared!

Javier Baez – SS Detroit Tigers

Looked like Baez couldn't put any weight on his right leg/ankle. Carted off https://t.co/3GVyUo0oN5

— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) April 29, 2026

You never want to see anyone get carted off the field, and this was no exception. We will know more today about the condition and diagnosis of Baez. He will almost assuredly land on the Injured List as a result of this, and given his age, it’s fair to wonder what lies ahead for him and his career if this is the worst-case scenario. As for the Tigers themselves, could we see Max Clark? He’s been destroying Triple-A pitching and is ready for an opportunity.

George Springer – OF Toronto Blue Jays

George Springer hit and ran again today and could be activated tomorrow if all goes well, John Schneider said. #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 28, 2026

Be prepared!